Am I being detained? >> Right now you're standing way too close to my traffic stop and you got your hand in your pocket. I don't know what you're doing. Just understand that if you get any closer to our traffic stop >> Just get the [ __ ] away from me. >> I don't know what's in your pocket though. So if you can you can just hang out your hands. >> Jeez. Not come up here and take my rights away. That's how I'm educating you. >> Am I taking your rights away right now? >> Yeah. >> When a citizen clearly understands their rights and asks the officer to name the law the confrontation immediately erupts right in the middle of the street. >> Of course I can. It's public. Of course it is. It's public. It's not against the law. You have to create privacy. See you later, buddy. >> You know that you can't be recording that. >> Of course I can. >> Okay, you can't. >> I can. It's a You might not like it, but it's legal. >> You clearly know the law. >> A threat of arrest, a camera, and a citizen who refuses to back down. What happens when authority is challenged by the very law it's supposed to uphold? At the intersection of Southern and Bell Vista, a routine traffic stop quickly turns tense when a citizen raises a camera to record everything, an officer begins to grow irritated, and an unexpected confrontation begins. >> Hey guys. It's like we got us a traffic stop over here on Southern and Bell Vista and Mesa. Got unit number 1847. Got an old lady pulled over. >> I think they're going to write her a ticket. He's got the thin blue line. >> Can you do me a favor? If you're going to record us, I want you to keep your hands out of your pockets. >> Kiss my ass. >> All right. Get your hands out of your pockets. >> Am I being detained? >> Right now, you're standing way too close to my traffic stop, and you've got your hand in your pocket. I don't know what you're doing. >> I am allowed to do whatever the [ __ ] I want to do. I'm free. >> All right. Just understand that if you get any closer to our traffic stop >> Just get the [ __ ] away from me. >> Well, no, actually, I have every right to stand right here, too. >> That's fine. You stay right there. >> From the very first exchanges, it becomes clear that the two sides are standing on completely different viewpoints. One side trying to control the area of an active stop, while the other insists on the right to stand in public and record. And then, a new demand from the officer suddenly causes the confrontation to escalate. >> You've got your hand on your gun. >> Yeah, absolutely. You've got your hand in your pocket. >> [laughter] >> It's as simple as all you have to do is take your hand out of your pocket so I don't know you have any weapons or anything like that. We can stand here and hang out all day. >> Yeah, me, too. >> No weapon. >> Hey man. I don't know what's in your pocket though. So, if you can you can just hang out your hand. >> Jeez. That's it. >> Okay. >> I walk around with my hand in my pocket. >> Right, but you got to understand >> I don't give a [ __ ] what you think. I really don't give a [ __ ] what you think. >> Well, I'm educating >> Yeah, I'm educating you. >> How so? >> You cannot come up here and take my rights away. That's how I'm educating you. >> your rights away right now? >> Yeah. >> How? >> By telling me to take my hands out of my pocket. I'm free to do whatever the [ __ ] I want to do. >> Did I force you to take your hand out of your pocket? >> Nope. >> Okay. >> Okay. It's your ego. It's that [ __ ] thin blue line right there. That ego. >> It's called my safety. >> Yeah, it's your ego. This guy's going to stand over here and film me. So, I'm going to go over there and see if I can push some authority on him. >> I'm just going to stand right here and make sure that the scene is safe. That's all. >> You do that. Did you call for backup? >> What do you care? >> Please tell me you called for backup. You [ __ ] did, didn't you? Didn't you? You [ __ ] called for backup, you [ __ ] [ __ ] >> The back and forth becomes increasingly heated, and the pressure at the traffic stop clearly intensifies as both sides continue challenging each other's views on authority and safety at the scene. Just minutes later, the situation grows even more tense as additional officers arrive, pushing the confrontation in front of the camera into an even more intense phase. >> Give me 1 second, ma'am. >> Is this who the [ __ ] I think it is? Hey, you want to No. >> You want to check with her real real second? She's got a question. Need to check with her real fast. She was trying to trying to ask me something. >> This This guy called for backup. He's so scared of a camera. Do you know this thing will go right through your vest into your heart, touch your spine, and then reach up there and grab your ego? It sure will. >> That wasn't meant to be funny. It wasn't. >> It does. It does every time. I don't get it. Are you afraid of transparency? >> Not at all. I'm not burning you right now, man. >> That's fine. You guys are supposed to have meetings on me every morning. >> Every morning? >> Just about. >> Now who's got an ego? Right? >> I was told >> of yourself. >> Yeah, very proud. I'm keeping my community safe from you guys violating people's rights. >> is that? >> Mesa. >> Oh. >> Usually two units show up when you call for backup. This guy's got a gun and tasers. And he's scared of this little bitty camera. But it does shoot really good video. Really good video. >> That's good. What are these? >> As more officers arrive at the scene, the atmosphere grows even more tense as the cameraman continues criticizing the officer's behavior right in front of the lens. Then, when a new topic is suddenly brought up, the conversation between the cameraman and the officers becomes even more controversial. >> Do you understand? I'm here for me. >> I'm just asking if it's going to be on a website. >> Okay, guys. This uh Your sergeant will know the website. >> Okay, my sergeant knows the >> Yeah, when you guys [ __ ] up >> Who's my sergeant? >> Your all your sergeants get my website. That way they know if you really [ __ ] up or not. >> knows your website. Can I just verify what website it is? >> Should. They should know me. >> What's the website? >> All you guys are supposed to know me. >> What's your name then? >> I don't know your name. I don't I've never seen [laughter] you before. >> My name is Spitting Cobra. >> Spitting Cobra? Or is that the name of the website? I've never seen you before. Yeah. I'm kind of curious to look at your website. >> usually don't get this far down. >> Oh, okay. Usually where you at? >> None of your business. >> I'll take it. I'm looking forward to you, man. >> Okay, your stop is done. You guys go do your job. >> I'm just staying here hanging out with you, man. >> Okay, we'll stay here all day then. >> Well, it seems like you still want to record us, so Do you have any questions for us? >> No, you guys are the ones making an ass out of yourself. >> Well, >> Well, look guys, this guy doesn't have the blue line. I applaud him for that. You have not desecrated my flag. I appreciate that. This son of a [ __ ] has >> Do you view that as a desecration of the flag? >> Yes, that is a desecration of the United States flag. >> How is that? Well, I mean >> That's not how the flag is depicted. >> how the flag is depicted, either, man. It's white and black. >> But it doesn't have that blue line through it. >> It doesn't have white or black on it, either. >> That is a gang line. >> What if it had a red line, man? >> That's That's a stripe. >> If it had a red line, would it be all right? >> No. None. No lines. That's a flag. It's a different color, but there's no lines through it. >> There's a bunch of lines through it. It's black and white lines through it. I'm just saying what you're saying. Your statements don't make sense. >> Yeah. >> But Hey, you have a great day, sir. >> Yeah, you too. You guys have a great day, too. >> Good job. >> Go get your jobs done. >> Yep. >> Once again, guys, he tried to enforce his authority. I have to teach them. I will not [ __ ] back down. >> The traffic stop may be over, but the verbal clash isn't. Before leaving the scene, the cameraman delivers a few final remarks, closing out an encounter that leaves many people with serious questions. Citizens may file a lawsuit against police under Section 1983 if their rights are violated. Officers who break the law could face financial liability, disciplinary action, or even termination. Up next, a man filming police activity on a public street in Pittsburg, California, finds the situation heating up as the officer begins issuing harsher warnings, while the cameraman refuses to back down. >> What's going on, guys? I'm Pittsburg, California, doing a little cop watching. We're good, man. Do your thing. Don't worry about us, man. We're not obstructing. We're within the footage. Just do your thing, man. Don't talk to me. Oh, you left his computer open. The cameraman repeatedly asks the officer to clearly state the law being violated, while the officer responds with increasingly stern warnings. Just seconds later, the situation escalates further as the officer steps closer and the confrontation in front of the camera becomes even more intense. Of course I can. It's public. Of course it is. It's public. It's not against the law. You have to create privacy. See you later, buddy. Mind your business, I'll mind mine. Okay, go back to your job. You have to create privacy. There's no There's no explain You can't trespass my eyes. It is okay. That's why you're taking that walk. Enjoy that walk. It's called the walk of shame. Keep doing it all day as long as I'm in town. See you never. That's how that works. Oh, you know my buddy? I know him. He's all right. He's doing all right. He is. You guys helped that, though. Bay Area, he's giving you a shout out. I don't think if not for Pittsburgh, he's had he'd have as many views as he's got. And conquered. He's shouting out to Bay Area Transparency. Just to piss him off, I said, "You know my buddy?" I have never even met Bay Area. >> For real though, have you guys hit Pittsburgh and Antioch? The restaurants here are bananas. Lot of good stuff. Very good stuff. Lot of good seafood. Lot of good, um, like if you're like Mexican, lot of good Chinese restaurants, too. >> The warnings from the officer become increasingly stern, while the cameraman firmly continues asserting his right to record. But the situation doesn't stop there. The long-running argument begins to take a new turn as it triggers unexpected reactions from the officer. >> I think now I'm going to call Bay Area and have him do the intro to this video. >> That's a great idea. >> I don't even have his number. I just want to make this call mad. I'll email him. >> Hello. >> No, he doesn't He's not even aware of the law. He thinks you can't record inside of his vehicle and stuff. I'm I'm narrating to my audience. Shh. Shh. Shh. Shh. Shh. Stop interrupting me. I'm talking to my audience. >> You clearly know the law, correct? Of course. You You know that you can't be recording that. >> Of course I can. >> Okay, you can't. >> I can. It's a You might not like it, but it's legal. >> You clearly know the law. So, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you don't know the law by giving you a warning, okay? >> It's not a warning, it's legal. I do this all over the country. Just name the law. Name the law. >> the deal. You do that again, you will be placed under arrest. >> Do you understand what I'm saying? >> Name the law. >> I just told you. >> Name the law. Why don't you give me a supervisor? Name the law. >> You want my supervisor? >> Yeah. >> Okay, I can get him. >> Name the law. What Can you tell me what law it is? Have you in reference to the Sunshine Act, are you talking about any radio transmission? You guys have to protect people's private information. That's why California stopped using a lot of the radio traffic, but there's no expectation of privacy in public. I can film anything on that screen whenever I want. >> If he wants privacy, he can make that private. That's not on us. >> Fact. So, I can film in his vehicle, but not yours cuz you have private information that you failed to protect. There is no law saying I can't film that vehicle. No idea what you're talking about, buddy. Can you tell me the law, man? >> No, he can't tell you the law. >> Hold on. Hold on. Is it a California Penal Code? Is it case law? Is it precedence? What is it that you're referring to, man? Cuz I'm willing to go over jail all over not breaking a law. >> The argument between the cameraman and the officer remains tense as neither side is willing to back down over the right to record. The atmosphere at the scene grows increasingly pressured as the exchange of words becomes more heated. Then the situation enters a new phase when the officer's next action catches many people by surprise. >> This guy's a butt nugget. Do a fist bumps. Have a good day, man. Never give consent for them to search your vehicle, man. Hey, Corporal. Can you just tell me which law that is? >> Yeah, it's in the California Penal Code. >> Which California Penal Code is that? It's not. I'm I'm just telling you. Okay. So, is my attorney incorrect then? >> Yes, your attorney >> Cuz I contacted an attorney here locally. Now, this is covered by the SJC. >> Hey, we're not going to have this conversation. >> Is this a new law? >> We're not having this conversation anymore. >> Well, we are because you're telling me you can arrest me for something that doesn't exist. I mean, I'd love for you to try. I'm willing to take that ride. You have >> Hey, have a good day. >> Hey, God bless the blue. >> Awesome. >> Back the blue. Back the blue. Thank you for your bravery. You're so brave. You're also very handsome. Keep up the great work. Thank you, Corporal Haller. >> All right, sir. Have a good night. >> Thank you. Say Say hello to Bay Area Transparency. He says, "Hello." You guys are cute. Keep up the great work. Your earpieces are so cool, but not as cool as Corporal Haller. No, you're a tall guy, though. How tall are you? >> He gave the princess wave. >> I I didn't know they stacked [ __ ] that high, Corporal Haller. Wow. Very pretty. >> He did the princess wave. >> He did? >> Yeah. >> And we're we're still filming in the vehicle, so it's like that law didn't work too well. I think this car might be stuck. >> You guys okay? You see the other person there? No, I didn't. Okay. Okay. I think he's fine. Yeah, God bless you. God bless you. Okay, I got Um >> The confrontation finally begins to cool down as the officer no longer continues arguing as before. This closing [music] moment brings an end to a tense encounter while leaving many questions about the use of authority and the public's right to monitor government officials in public spaces. Both citizens and [music] police officers need to clearly understand the law and act responsibly. Only through mutual respect and calm behavior can society maintain fairness and order. Hey everyone, [music] what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, [music] and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]